‘Where is the Prime Minister?: Sussan Ley hits out at absent Anthony Albanese amid debate over stage three tax cuts

Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley has hit out at Anthony Albanese accusing the Prime Minister of being “too busy” to make a stand on stage three tax cuts. 

The remaining phase of the government’s legislated tax agenda is set to come into effect in mid-2024 and will see cuts of $9,075 to those earning more than $200,000.

The third stage will also see the 37 per cent tax bracket scrapped all together, while Australians earning between $45,000 and $200,000 will come under the 30 per cent bracket which will be cut from 32.5 per cent.

The cuts have been scrutinised by the crossbench with at least nine out of 18 crossbenchers in favour of delaying them or having them axed amid ongoing cost of living pressures.

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Speaking at a press conference in Sydney on Thursday, Ms Ley defended the tax cuts but called out Mr Albanese’s notable silence on the issue. 

“Where is the Prime Minister?” Ms Ley asked.

“We see background briefings, we see press conferences from charmers, we team coming out, but where is Anthony Albanese? He was joking about Botox on FM radio yesterday, has been to Midnight Oil concerts.

“Well, today, why doesn’t he go and talk to some people in the industries around here and ask them how they feel about paying less tax and whether they are happy for Labor to break their central promise.”

Mr Albanese appeared on Fitzy and Wippa on Nova 96.9 on Wednesday where was asked to respond to claims he received botox or fillers after an article was published about his “smoother complexion” following his weight loss.

The Prime Minister rubbished the claims and instead claimed “whoever wrote that article has been having botox in the wrong place”.

On Monday he took to Twitter about attending the Midnight Oil concert in Sydney.

“Awesome final gig from @midnightoilband at the Hordern tonight,” he wrote.

“Almost four hours of energy and astonishing powerful brilliant music with a message #respect #ThankYou.”

Ms Ley said it would be the “worst possible time” for Labor to remain evasive on the promised tax relief as families feel the strain of rising cost of living pressures. 

“Mortgage payments are going up again. Grocery bills are skyrocketing, power bills are climbing and climbing,” she said. 

“We are in a cost of living crisis. Australians are staring into the abyss. 2.5 million Australians are relying on tax relief that has been promised.”

The Opposition has warned it would be a “huge break of trust” for Labor to backtrack on its election promise. 

Federal ministers have ruled out any immediate changes to the tax relief but have left the door open to future amendments. 

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher on Wednesday hinted that the policy could be amended down the track. 

“We haven’t changed our position yet,” Ms Gallagher told ABC’s Radio National.

“We are finalising a budget where we are looking across the board at a whole range of decisions.

“And we are being upfront with the Australian community. I think they expect us to be upfront and I think they expect us to make the right decisions for the right reasons, mindful of the economic circumstances of the time.”